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Saturday 20 December 2014

Happy Holidays!!!!




I wish you a wonderful and peaceful Christmas and very Happy, joyous and creative New Year!!
xo,
Katarina

Friday 19 December 2014

Fringe poncho tutorial -2 styles


Fringe ponchos

If you are on of those people willing to try knits , but have fear of this stretchy fabric, then this is the perfect project for you. It's suitable for kids and adults as well. It comes in 2 different versions :)


4 years ago, I wrote about THIS great project with knits (it would make a perfect gift), so maybe you can try that one as well? So easy!!!

Anyway, back to the fringe poncho and sewing with knits: the most important thing is to use ball point needle (for stretchy jersey and knit fabrics) and to be sure, that according to your needle size and thread that you will use, to adjust the thread tension on your machine. For the parts of your clothes that will need some stretching, use the zig zag stitch or the twin needle. That's basically all you need to know for the begging, the rest is all about practice and experience ;)


Once I started using a serger I fell in love with sewing knits! It's something else!!! But, luckily, this tutorial has barely 2-3 straight stitches, and you will not need a serger for that. What I love about knits is that the hem is easy-rolling (the fabric edge gets rolled up), this means that for some projects you don't need hem finishing (which for some people can be very nerve wracking).

So let's get started!  

Fringe ponchos

You will need: 

- 1 - 1. 5 yard of jersey knit fabric (depending on the size)
- scissors  
- rotary cutter (with sharp blade)
- sewing machine  
- stretch needle 70/10 
- thread
- pins 
- paper adhesive tape

It is very important to determine the measurements for the poncho:
1. for the width  <--->
2. for the length  ^

You can maybe understand it better if looking at this picture (that's from my kaftan tutorial )



Take those measurements from your child (or you) or from the person that you are sewing this for, using the tape measure. According to that buy/cut the knit.

You should know that knit comes in very abundant width of 58/60", which is great for all the garment projects and sizes.

Fringe poncho toddler version

So looking at the above picture, you will notice that the 58/60" width of the fabric ( my cutting mat is 36 x 24") was cut to 44".
That way I got the square of 44x44".
I have used the same 44x44" fabric piece for both types-styles of poncho.

So let's see the STYLE #1 first, rectangle poncho fringe, great for toddlers!

RECTANGLE FRINGE PONCHO-style 1

Step 1. Cut the fabric upon your measurements.
The width of the fabric - 58/60" will be left like that for XL women size. All the smaller sizes are to be determined by the wrist to wrist measurement. My 7 yrs old daughter has the wrist to wrist measurement of 44", so that was my width cut. The length of the fabric is to be determined by the desired length of the poncho, doubled (for front+back). I wanted the poncho for my daughter to be 22" long, so I used 44" as length. That's why and how I got the 44x44" square.

Fringe poncho toddler version

Step 2. Place your piece of the knit fabric on the cutting surface, folded in half width wise (to find the center) and cut out the neck opening that is approx. 3 x 0.5" (once opened the fabric it will be 6 x 0.5") like shown on the picture. If you are cutting in smaller sizes cut it to be full opening 4-5" x 0.5". If cutting it in bigger sizes, cut it to be full opening 7" x 0.5"

Fringe poncho toddler version Fringe poncho toddler version Fringe poncho toddler version

Step 3. Fold the fabric lengthwise (be precise with finding the center), so that the cut hole can be further cut in order to obtain the round shaped neckline. You can use some round shape to help you with cutting it perfectly. I have cut it at 2.5".

Fringe poncho toddler version

Step 4. This is the neckline we got. As many people have problem with making nice, round shape hemmed neckline, we will make the turtle neck. To create that, we need the additional wide fabric strip - rectangle.

Fringe poncho toddler version

Step 5. You can determine yourself how long you wish the turtle neck to be. As I've cut my fabric width from 58" to 44", I had the leftover strip of 14", so I used that as the length.

Fringe poncho toddler version

Step 6. To obtain the other, bigger measure of the rectangle, measure the circumference of the neckline opening. In my case it was 19". To that measure add 1/2" for the seam allowance(1/4"+1/4").

Fringe poncho toddler version

Step 7. So, my rectangle was measuring 14 x 19. 5". Be sure to match the fabric print direction.

Fringe poncho toddler version

Step 8. Sew the rectangle on the shorter sides, right sides inside.

Fringe poncho toddler version

Step 9. You can decide if you want to leave the final hem rolled (like I did) or you can fold the edge and hem it using the zig zag stitch or double straight stitch (with twin needle).

Fringe poncho toddler version

Step 10. Pin and sew the other side of the turtle neck "tube" to the neckline, right sides together. Start pinning and sewing from the center of the back side where you will position the seam.

Fringe poncho toddler version

Step 11. Your turtle neck is done.

Fringe poncho toddler version

Step 12. Now the fringes.

Fringe poncho toddler version Fringe poncho toddler version

Step 12. You have to determine the side seams (in my picture it's shown with pink ribbon). The best way to do that is to place any regular tee-shirt and add approx. 2" all way around, as shown in the picture.

Fringe poncho toddler version

Step 13. Using the paper adhesive tape, define the cutting edges. Start cutting the narrow strips, about 0.5" wide.

Fringe poncho toddler version

Step 14. Fold the poncho in half width wise, to transfer the defined shape to the other side.

Fringe poncho toddler version

Step 15. With the sewing machine, sew a stitch along the inside side of the adhesive tape.

Fringe poncho toddler version

Step 16. Remove the adhesive tape and you are done!!!!

Fringe poncho toddler version Fringe poncho toddler version

Again, if you don't like unfinished sleeve hems, just fold the edge and hem it using the zig zag stitch or double straight stitch (with twin needle).

Fringe poncho toddler version

Fringe ponchos

Fringe ponchos

 RECTANGLE FRINGE PONCHO-style2

Step 1. Cut the fabric upon your measurements.
The width of the fabric - 58/60" will be left like that for XL women size. All the smaller sizes are to be determined by the wrist to wrist measurement. My teenage daughter has the wrist to wrist measurement of 50", so that was my width cut. The length of the fabric is to be determined by that same measurement, as it has to be the square. That's why and how I got the 50x50" square for this style. This is equivalent to an S adult size.

Fringe poncho triangle version

Step 2.  Fold the fabric square on the diagonal square line in order to obtain triangular shape. Place your piece of the knit fabric on the cutting surface, folded in half width wise (to find the center) and cut out the neck opening that is approx. 3 x 0.5" (once opened the fabric it will be 6 x 0.5") like shown on the picture. If you are cutting in smaller sizes cut it to be full opening 4-5" x 0.5". If cutting it in bigger sizes, cut it to be full opening 7" x 0.5"
Fringe poncho triangle version

I made this style as an example of 0 sewing involved, for people that can't sew.
That's why on the following pictures, I have left the neckline just as it is, round-shaped.
To make the round shaped neckline, repeat the step 3. from the first rectangle style #1.
For the turtle neck, repeat the steps 4-11 from the first rectangle style #1.

Fringe poncho triangle version

Step 12. You now only need to determine the fringe length using the adhesive paper tape.

Fringe poncho triangle version

Step 13. You can make to yourself (like I did) some cutting marks on the mat, that will help you with the cutting direction of the fringes, as you are changing angle, going toward the center line.

Fringe poncho triangle version

Step 14. Using the paper adhesive tape, define the cutting edges. Start cutting the narrow strips, about 0.5" wide.

Fringe poncho triangle version

Step 15. Fold the poncho in half width wise, to transfer the defined shape to the other side. Cut the fringes all way around.

Fringe poncho triangle version

Step 16. Remove the adhesive tape and you are done!!!!

The second version of #fringeponcho ( more adult ) is done as well. Tutorial writing to follow.... Have a great day!!!!😊 #recollectionfabrics #wearefabrics #katarinaroccella #knits #artgalleryfabrics

Happy sewing!
Katarina

Sunday 7 December 2014

Braided memories quilt along



Thinking about some sew-along with this block....anyone interested? I would make the free PDF template on my blog with a few versions? #recollectionfabrics #quilt #strips #xmas

Are you ready for the Braided memories quilt-a-long?
Well I am looking forward to it. :D
My Recollection line is arriving to the shops and I wanted to celebrate that with you.
For that occasion, I prepared a nice braided block-that can be done with strips (and scraps;) and you can download and print it HERE


This is the mirror image of what you will be getting on the back of the paper.



I always wanted to learn the paper piecing and I think that this block can be nice for the start.
I also think that it can be created with traditional piecing as well, so that will be my plan B ;) Recollection fabrics and matching Pure elements-solids can make nice fabric creations, appropriate for upcoming Holidays gift-givings.

I divided the block in 4 printable sheets in order to obtain one big block that can be used as it is for cushions, but can be also used with other additional blocks to make a quilt or table runner. The numbers on the block are showing the piecing order and the letters are showing the fabric placement.

I 've found this great tutorial on You tube, for those that, like me, are beginners.

Here are the fabrics I will be using (look at the block on the first picture of this post):

 fabric A: pure element "coral reef"


 fabric B: pure element "snow white"


 fabric C: pure element "mirage blue"


 fabric D: pure element "nocturnal"


 fabric E: Fairisle Hearts greige


 fabric F: Bullion fronds rose


 fabric G: Flowered engrams ornate


 fabric H: Kilim Inherit shadow


 fabric I: Cuneiform script aged


 fabric J: Laced remains haze






And here are the versions of the block in  second colorway of the Recollection fabrics and in 2 variations in Indelible fabrics.





Here are some quilt mock-ups.....


Well, I hope that you feel inspired and that you are willing to join me on Instagram with your projects......just use the hash tag: #braidedmemories

Happy sewing!
Katarina





Sunday 23 November 2014

New quilt patterns featuring Recollection fabrics

Proudly presenting you my 2 newest quilt patterns, one created with Recollection fabrics
named Kubeta quilt and other is the Pixel rose quilt, that was inspired by shape of the rose in one of my Recollection prints, named: Flowered Engrams.


KUBETA cover

Pixel rose includes 2 versions: with the rose on the dark background, without the leaves and the rose with leaves on the dark background.
pixel rose front cover

pixel rose blue

I have added both patterns in my etsy shop and you can use the promo code: HOLIDAYS to get 30% off.

Code is valid till the end of the year.
Happy sewing,
Katarina